Spirent Services

Any website, even one built with the best security practices in mind, can be vulnerable to a malicious attack. Ecommerce sites and other sites that have applications built into them are particularly rich targets for malicious hackers. To protect a website, you need to do more than have an SSL certificate and a well-built shopping cart. A website scanner can tip you off to some frightening vulnerabilities in your website and give you a chance to rectify them before the worst happens.

Checking Website Vulnerabilities

There are several different types of attacks a black-hat hacker might choose to launch against your website. Without protection, your website might be vulnerable to attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS), one of the biggest hazards that exists on the web today. You might also check your website and find that your forms have security holes in them that a malicious hacker could take advantage of. There are numerous tools that black-hat hackers use to compromise websites, so it is easy for even an unsophisticated malicious type to penetrate them using common vulnerabilities.

Common Attacks

When you check your website, a website scanner will look for vulnerabilities to some of the most important types of attacks. For instance, the scanner will check your forms to make sure that they're secure against SQL injection attacks and other exploits. The website scanner will also look for signs that you're susceptible to a cross-site-scripting (XSS) error. Either of these types of vulnerabilities means that your customers' data could be harvested by a black-hat hacker. The website scanner will allow you to identify those vulnerabilities and then take measures to have them fixed.

Does Your Site Need Security?

Some small- and medium-sized businesses assume that they're not potential targets for hackers. They may not check their websites for these vulnerabilities, thinking that they don't have the same web presence as larger companies and therefore don't need to. Unfortunately, hackers know this too and will often target the low-hanging fruit that is least protected and easiest to penetrate. In this day and age, your website is like the front door of your business, and it is available 24/7. You can be sure that hackers are routinely crossing the Internet in search of vulnerable websites. And even if you aren't checking your website for vulnerabilities, you can be sure that somebody else is.

What Can You Do?

Deploying an automated website scanner is the most important step. The scanner will check your website for vulnerabilities and give you information about what needs to be fixed. This simple process often is the difference between remaining a viable online business and losing your credibility with your customers. Check your website and make sure it's secure. Website vulnerabilities are well known, and it is critical that you're aware of them before somebody else.